Lessons From Jim Carey

Eight Things Everyone Ought To Know About Life
It’s a powerful speech, there is no denying it, but the popular video fails to mention any of the
other eight life changing pearls of wisdom
Jim imparted to Maharishi University of Management’s graduating class of 2014.
Lesson 1: “The Effect You Have On Others Is The Most Valuable Currency There Is…”
Many people look at life with tunnel vision, so focussed on trying to get to where they want to go that they miss out on opportunities every day. As Zig Ziglar said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough people get what they want.”
Expand your awareness and look for opportunities to engage with and have a positive impact on others. If you don’t know where to start, start by being the person who brightens up other people’s day by greeting them warmly and taking a genuine interest in how there day or life is going.
Lesson 2: “Your Need For Acceptance Can Make You Invisible In This World…”
One of the best things you can ever do for yourself is to love and accept yourself as you are right now – with all your perceived faults and imperfections. Realise that there is no such thing as perfect. Think about the type of person you most like to be around – the type of person that makes you feel good. The people we deem as charismatic and charming are people who are comfortable in their own skin. Not because they are perfect, but because their full acceptance of themselves means that people have no option but to like them.
When you allow yourself to be crippled by doubt and insecurities you literally shrink. Your energy diminishes and you do yourself and others around you a huge disservice.
Lesson 3: “Risk Being Seen In All Of Your Glory…”
From a young age, most people have been conditioned to fit in. People who are talented or confident make other people feel bad and so being different and standing out is discouraged. Well, fuck it. Playing small doesn’t serve anybody and when you get to the end of your life and look back, I guarantee you are not going to say, “I’m really glad I chose to play small and never fully express myself. I’m leaving the world a better place because I didn’t rock the boat.”
Don’t be ashamed of your greatness. Get to know it. Find out and uncover what your strengths and talents are. If you don’t think you have any – get out there and make some. Your time as a caterpillar has expired. Your wings are ready.
Lesson 4: “Let The Universe Know What You Want, Work Toward it and Let Go of How It Will Come to Pass…”
Start exactly where you are, utilise what you have and every day move towards what you want. Don’t stress about ‘how’ it is going to happen. Just stay focused on the end result and believe that if you do what you need to do and show up as who you need to be, the world will take care of the rest. Don’t let the anxiety of what might happen stand in the way of what can happen if you only start.
Lesson 5: “Life Doesn’t Happen To You It Happens For You…”
In his speech, Jim said it perfectly, “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you. When I say this, I really don’t know if it’s true. I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so I can deal with them in the most productive way.”
Always choose the thoughts that feel the best based on the premise, “he who thinks he can and he who thinks he cannot are both right.”
Lesson 6: “There is Nothing Bigger Than Yourself”
You could hear a pin drop when Jim shared this epiphany with the University students, “Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself… until someone smarter than myself made me realise that there is nothing bigger than myself.”
Everything starts and ends with you. There is nothing more important to yourself or more helpful to others than you. Nothing you create or attempt happens without you. You are all you need.
Lesson 7: “You Are Ready and Able to Do Beautiful Things in This World…”
As you are right now. Not when you lose 10 kilos, not when you find the love of your life, get a pay rise or pay off the mortgage. Before any of that you are already ready. You have been ready since the day you were born.
Lesson 8: “You Only Ever Have Two Choices – Love Or Fear – Choose Love.”
As you go about your daily life, pay attention to your feelings. Anytime you feel less than good, that is your body’s way of telling you that you are thinking thoughts that are not aligned with where you want to go, or who you want to be.
It is a clear sign that you are being controlled by fear. Get to know your emotional guidance system and use it to steer yourself back into love and alignment with what you really want. As Jim said, “Don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”